Discovery BoxExodus 25:30 
Context25:30 You are to set the Bread of the Presence 1 on the table before me continually.
Exodus 33:14
Context33:14 And the Lord 2 said, “My presence 3 will go with you, 4 and I will give you rest.” 5
Exodus 35:13
Context35:13 the table with its poles and all its vessels, and the Bread of the Presence;
Exodus 35:20
Context35:20 So the whole community of the Israelites went out from the presence of Moses.
Exodus 39:36
Context39:36 the table, all its utensils, and the Bread of the Presence;
1 sn The name basically means that the bread is to be set out in the presence of Yahweh. The custom of presenting bread on a table as a thank offering is common in other cultures as well. The bread here would be placed on the table as a symbol of the divine provision for the twelve tribes – continually, because they were to express their thanksgiving continually. Priests could eat the bread after certain times. Fresh bread would be put there regularly.
2 tn Heb “and he said”; the referent (the
3 sn Heb “my face.” This represents the presence of Yahweh going with the people (see 2 Sam 17:11 for an illustration). The “presence” probably refers to the angel of the presence or some similar manifestation of God’s leading and caring for his people.
4 tn The phrase “with you” is not in the Hebrew text, but is implied.
5 sn The expression certainly refers to the peace of mind and security of knowing that God was with them. But the expression came to mean “settle them in the land of promise” and give them rest and peace from their enemies. U. Cassuto (Exodus, 434) observes how in 32:10 God had told Moses, “Leave me alone” (“give me rest”), but now he promises to give them rest. The parallelism underscores the great transition through intercession.
